Reedsy alternatives for your book
The Urban Writers is a marketplace where customers choose freelancers and software runs the book process from writing through editing and final approval. Other options to compare include Upwork, Fiverr, Gotham Ghostwriters, Scribe Media and the Editorial Freelancers Association.
Last updated: November 2026
Follow a book order inside TUW
Watch a customer approve work in the app. Each stage starts after the previous stage is approved, with the order keeping the work together.
- 1WritingYour writer
Your writer works on the manuscript linked to your order.
- 2Draft reviewYou
You review the draft and approve it or request changes.
- 3Originality reportTUW app
The app scans for originality, and you review the report.
- 4EditingYour editor
Your editor copy edits and proofreads with Essential Editing, included in book-writing packages.
- 5Quality reviewQuality team
The quality team reviews the final content.
- 6Final approvalYou
You review the finished book and approve it to complete your order.
One book project
Your writing, outline, cover, formatting and description orders stay together in one dashboard project. You can check each order's progress.
Your Action Items
Your Action Items list shows approvals and freelancer extension requests. Notifications tell you when something needs your attention.
Dates and holds
Each freelancer has a due date. You can hold work twice, for 10 days total, and all due dates advance by the hold days.
Feedback on your order
Follow the live manuscript and comment beside the text. Your order chat keeps conversations with your writer, editor and quality editors together.
Where to hire a ghostwriter or book editor
Start with how you want to hire and work together. Each competitor description draws on its own pages, listed in Sources.
The Urban Writers
Book services marketplace
The Urban Writers lets you choose freelancers while its software runs your book's stages from writing through editing and final approval. Your dashboard keeps related orders, progress and Action Items together.
Built in: Stage approvals, originality reports, order chat and Essential Editing in book-writing packages.
Upwork
General freelance marketplace
Upwork's client pricing and help pages describe a general freelance marketplace for many kinds of work. Customers post jobs, receive proposals and hire freelancers on hourly or fixed-price contracts.
Confirm before you hire: Ask what the contract includes for editing, revisions and ownership of the finished work.
Fiverr
General freelance marketplace
Fiverr's help center describes a general freelance marketplace where freelancers list services as Gigs with set packages. Customers can purchase a package or request a custom offer.
Confirm before you hire: Check the word count, editing scope and revisions included in the package or custom offer.
Gotham Ghostwriters
Ghostwriting agency
Gotham Ghostwriters describes itself on its homepage as a ghostwriting agency. It offers a free phone consultation and matches customers with a writer from its network of editorial specialists.
Confirm before you hire: Request the full price and confirm the writing, editing and revision scope.
Scribe Media
Managed book services
Scribe Media's pricing page describes managed book services. Its Scribe Professional package pairs a professional writer with an interview-based process, while other packages cover coaching or publishing a finished manuscript.
Confirm before you hire: Confirm which package covers your manuscript's needs and what the agreement includes.
Editorial Freelancers Association
Professional association
The Editorial Freelancers Association's free Member Directory lets you search by editorial skill, subject, genre and manuscript type. Its free Job List sends approved postings with stated pay to members, who contact you directly.
Confirm before you hire: Agree on scope, revisions, contracts and payment directly with the freelancer.
Compare hiring, prices and customer fees
Competitor details come from their own pages, listed in Sources. Confirm any additional charges before paying.
Read November 2, 2026: Reedsy marketplace, ghostwriting and fees FAQ pages. Upwork client pricing and help pages. Fiverr help center. Gotham Ghostwriters homepage. Scribe Media pricing page. Editorial Freelancers Association Member Directory and Job List pages.
How TUW and Reedsy handle your book
TUW lets you choose your writer, with published per-word packages and a separate editor included in every book-writing package. Reedsy's pages describe browsing profiles and requesting quotes from up to five professionals, who set their own fees. Its fees FAQ states a 20% commission per collaboration, with 10% charged to the customer.
Read Reedsy vs The Urban Writers for the full comparison.
How to hire your writer on TUW
You choose who to hire, follow the work and give feedback directly to your writer or editor.
Post your project
Describe your book on the order form. Posting is free. Writers or editors can request your project, and you can invite a freelancer.
Choose your freelancer
Review profiles, ratings, samples and completed orders. Chat with applicants and choose your writer or editor before paying. Our team can help you choose.
Follow the work
Watch your writer or editor work in a live online document. Add comments and feedback directly to the manuscript. Each order also has a freelancer chat.
Review your manuscript
When your manuscript arrives, approve it or highlight text and leave comments for revisions. Revision allowances depend on the service and, for book writing, writer level.
Customer reviews of TUW writers
Customers rate writers on TUW book-writing orders 4.87 out of 5. Read their reviews below.
I have worked with Chloe before, and hope to again. Chloe is excellent in every way. Communication could not be better; I am never waiting for anything. Chloe keeps me up to date on what is happening now and what will happen next. The style and content of my book are of the highest standard, and that will be proven by the reviews I receive on Amazon ( as with my previous book). Thank you, Chloe!
Richard A.Religion & spirituality customerRaver, was amazing throughout the entire process. She fixed every detail immediately and kept me informed every step of the way, sharing the process from start to finish. Her support was invaluable, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
Kyle F.Contemporary romance customerIt was absolutely wonderful and very patient with me as we went through the brainstorming process and several iterations. I can't tell you how much I appreciated having a pro like her on my side. Thank you for everything Eliza!
Timothy S.Self-help book customerEvie is professional, timely, always supportive and understanding. Her writing expertise is invaluable and I truly appreciate Evie's collaborative nature. Thank you again, Evie. I am very grateful to you.
Rebecca M.Children's story customerIt was amazing working with Jay. Not only does his expertise show in the quality of the book, but he also successfully understands and adopts your vision to transform it into a final masterpiece. Thank you very much.
Juan Esteban B.Self-help book customerExcellent writing, and communication throughout the process. He finished the project ahead of schedule.
Jordan S.Historical fiction customerI've worked with Rachel on several projects now, and it's always a pleasure. She has written some excellent books for me, and her communication and adherence to schedule have always been wonderful.
Denise B.Book writing customerShe was so communicative during the whole project. SHe is so smart and creative. Love how she was able to write my book how i wanted :) will be using her again. :)
Xiomara M.Romance novel customerThis is my second time working with Mood. And certainly wont be the last. If you want to work with a true professional, someone who delivers on time, and a pleasure to work with, Mood is the one!
Ronnie B.Self-help book customerWhat a joy to work with! Frances was very responsive and understanding of what I needed. Thank you!
Linda D.Contemporary romance customerVanca Hope is very professional, communicates well, and did an excellent job on my project. I couldn't be happier with the results I will use Vanca again in the future.
Nancy J.Children's story customerThank you so much for another brilliant project, Kalima. Always happy to work with you :)
Alberto B.Book writing customerQuestions to ask before you hire
Use these questions when comparing packages, reviewing proposals or speaking with a writer or editor.
Who will write and edit my book?
Knowing who handles each stage helps you understand their roles before work starts.
Can I review relevant samples before choosing?
Samples help you assess whether the freelancer's writing fits the book you have in mind.
What does the full price include?
A clear breakdown lets you compare word counts, editing, revisions and customer fees.
How will we share feedback and handle revisions?
Agreeing on feedback and revision terms gives you a process to follow when changes are needed.
Who owns the delivered content and copyrights?
Written ownership terms clarify what rights you keep and what the freelancer gives up.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Refund terms explain what you can recover before work starts, during the project and after completion.
Choose the process for your book
Choose TUW when you want to select your freelancer within a defined book process. Per-word packages, 1 to 4 revisions by writer level, a separate editor and a live document with comments and chat give you clear terms for working together. Post your project free, review profiles and speak with writers before choosing.
Common questions
Which Reedsy alternative manages the whole book project?
The Urban Writers keeps writing, outline, cover, formatting and description orders in one dashboard project. You choose freelancers, and its software runs writing, draft review, originality review, editing, quality review and final approval. Each stage starts after the previous stage is approved. Action Items show approvals and extension requests, while order chat keeps project conversations together.
What are the best alternatives to Reedsy?
Reedsy alternatives include The Urban Writers, Upwork, Fiverr, Gotham Ghostwriters, Scribe Media and the Editorial Freelancers Association. TUW combines freelancer choice with a built-in book process. The other services' own pages describe general freelance marketplaces, agency matching, managed book services or direct contact through a professional association. Compare the scope, working process and full price before choosing.
Is Upwork or Fiverr good for hiring a ghostwriter?
Both are places to consider, with different hiring processes. Upwork's help pages describe job posts and proposals for hourly or fixed-price contracts. Fiverr's help center describes Gig packages and custom offers. For a ghostwriting project, review relevant samples and confirm the word count, editing, revisions and ownership terms with the freelancer.
What fees do Upwork and Fiverr charge customers?
Upwork's pricing pages list Basic fees of 3% or 5%, plus $0.99 to $14.99 per new contract, with 3% for eligible U.S. customers paying from a checking account. Business Plus charges 8% or 10%. Fiverr's help center lists 5.5%, plus $3.50 on orders under $200. Each payment, including extras and tips, carries its own fee, shown before payment.
Should I hire through a ghostwriting agency or a marketplace?
Compare how you choose the writer and what the agreement includes. Gotham Ghostwriters' homepage describes a free phone consultation followed by a writer match. On TUW's marketplace, you choose your writer from profiles, with per-word packages, revision rounds by level and a separate editor included. Ask each service how it handles feedback, ownership and cancellations.
Where can I find a freelance book editor?
TUW offers standalone Essential Editing, Line Editing and Developmental Editing at standard rates of $23, $27 and $31 per 1,000 words, respectively. The Editorial Freelancers Association's Member Directory lets you search by editorial skill, subject, genre and manuscript type, then contact freelancers directly. Confirm the editing scope before hiring.
Can I choose my own writer on TUW?
Yes, you choose your writer using profiles with ratings, samples and completed orders. Post a project free and review freelancer requests, or invite someone yourself. You can chat or video chat before choosing, and the TUW team can help. A paid 1,000-word sample costs $22 at Rising level to $32 at Premium level before committing to the book.
Is The Urban Writers legit?
The Urban Writers has operated since 2018, with 24,000+ books written and 5,000+ vetted freelancers who have delivered orders. Customers rate writers on book-writing orders 4.87 out of 5. TUW has a Trustpilot TrustScore of 4.2 from 678 reviews and is BBB accredited with an A+ rating.
Plan your next step
Reedsy vs The Urban Writers
Compare the two marketplaces, their hiring processes and what each includes.
Ghostwriting services
See how TUW's book-writing packages work.
Ghostwriting cost
Review published per-word prices and writer levels.
Book editing cost
Compare Essential, Line and Developmental Editing prices.
Find your writer on The Urban Writers
Post your project free, browse freelancer profiles and chat with writers before you choose.